by a (z) Fashioning their doctrine to practise a new light publick doctrine This doctrine then was readily embraced by those whose age and temper was aptest to consult with flesh and blood None refraining himself from multiplication of wives for want or covetousness for their wives were kept upon the common-Stock Neither did they keep any face of Order or any shew of modesty in those marriages for presently after the receiving of that Law the brethren ran to the hansomest women of the City striving who should be served first and lay with them without any form of contract so that within few days there was not one woman of 14. years of age but was violated (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet 2.14 But those of the City that yet had some remnant of sound mind being extreamly grieved with disorder and groaning under that foul tyranny made a party and laid hold of John of Leyden Knipperdolling and all the Prophets which coming to the ears of the frantick rabble of people which made the greatest number they took arms and rescued the Prophets and killed fifty of their adversaries most of them in cold blood and with several kinds of devised cruelties (b) Seducers cruel John of Leyden encouraging the murtherers and crying that he that would do God service should give the first blow CHAP. IV. Continuation of the siege of Munster The reign of John of Leyden The taking of Munster The deserved punishment of the Rebels VVHile they were thus wiving and striving in Munster the Bishop had fair play if he could have husbanded the occasion Some weak attempts he made with ill success and having till then born the charges of the warr alone he was afterwards assisted with men and mony by Herman Archbishop of Colen and John Prince of Cleves and asked succour of all the Cities of the Rhyne about which demand there was a meeting appointed to be held at Coblents Decemb. 13. 1534. This long delay gave time to John of Leyden to project new designs He declared that the Spirit of Prophesie was retired from him and reposed upon John Tuscocurer a Goldsmith of Warendorp And this new Prophet having called the Congregation together declared that it was the will of the heavenly Father that John of Leyden should be (a) He wil cease to be a Prophet that he may be King King of the Universe And that with mighty Armies he should kill all Kings and Princes and destroy all the ungodly and save the people that love righteousness and that he must possess the Kingdom of his Father David till the time come that he must deliver the Kingdom to his Father (b) The hâ—ight of blasphemy And that all the ungodly being killed the godly should reign in the World Whereupon John of Leyden fell on his knees and lifting up his hands to heaven said Men and brethren so much I knew long ago but I would not reveal it Now God hath made choice of another to bear witness to that truth Then said Tuscocurer again Thus saith the Lord As I set Saul to be King in Israel and after him David taken from the Sheep-fold so I have set John Becold my Prophet to be King in Sion And when the Senate refused that prophesie the Prophet refused the Senate and appealed to the Congregation sâ—ying Give ear Israel Thou shalt abrogate thy Magistrates and put down thy Preachers and instead of them establish 12 simple men (c) Simple men seduced great agents for Satan without any learning them thou shalt command that they read my word unto my people and without any help but my spirit expound it into them will I pour the spirit of wisdom and understanding Then giving a sword to of John of Leyden And to thee saith he Father Becold the Father giveth this sword and calleth thee not only to be King in Sion but over all the World and to extend thine Empire unto the ends of the earth This oracle was followed with great shoutings and acclamations of the people crying God save the King and presently he was brought to S. Lamberts Church-yard and there again proclaimed K. There the new King created four Counsellors of State the chief whereof was one Gerard a Book-binder one Talbeck he made Lord Steward of his houshold Gerard Kippenbrok Treasurer of his Plate and Jewels Knipperdolling Governor of the City and appointed twelve Archers of his Guard This Taylor King presently made use of his skill to make himself fine in clothes He translated the copes and carpets of the Churches convents into dublets and breeches and cloaks which set off his Majesty all in gold and silver His horses wore a suitable livery richly harnessed with golden and silver Saddles and footcloths he had great change of rich apparel in which he appeared abroad having his chief Officers aid Counsellors riding before him in great State Next to him rid two young men richly attired the one carrying a naked sword with a golden hilt set with precious stones the other carried a Bible and a triple Crown of gold of exquisite work glittering with diamonds Himself wore a great chain of gold about his neck like a Coller of some noble Order with a golden Globe having a golden Sword thorough it hanging at the chain with this Motto about the Globe Rex justitiae hujus mundi the King of Righteousness of this world After him followed fifty Pensioners clad with parti-coloured garments of ash-colour and grass-green white caps and golden rings on every finger making the ash-colour an emblem of mortification the grass-green of regeneration the white caps of innocencie the golden rings of charity but among these prophetical riddles he ordered his Court with so much State and so disposed his Officers that if he had been a King born he could have done it no better So much all his adversaries acknowledge In that Royal array he shewed himself three times a week in publick and went up to a high Throne set up with great magnificence Under him sate Knipperdolling Governour of the City and lower his four great Counsellors of State In that Court he he judged of all controversies most of which were about divorces for by his new orders any man that was weary of his wife might take another as many more as he listed which could not but multiply suits and give work to the new King and his Counsellors and Prophets In that Court Knipperdolling would ever come out with some Bedlam rapture Once he fell flat to the ground and creeping upon his hands and feet he went to several persons of the Assembly and blowing them in the mouth said The Father hath sanctified thee receive the holy Ghost Another time he fell a dancing saying So I danc't once with my little harlot and now the heavenly Father hath commanded me that I should dance so in the Kings presence Another time before the King came he sate in his chair of Majesty
and there prophesied that he should die and rise again and that then the eys of the blind should be open But the King comming shewed him that the spirits of the Prophets must be subject unto the Prophets for he pulled him down and committed him to the Jail for three days This jolly Taylor having thus stitched up a kingdom in haste turned his serious care to go thorow stitch with it For that there was need of supply to to remove the Bishop that hindered his work And because all should be done in a Prophetical way Tuiscocurer his chief agent came to him as it seems by his appointment one day as he was sitting in his Throne with more than ordinary Majesty and told him King John the Gospel must be renewed by thee Thus saith the Lord God Go and say to the King of Sion that he prepare my holy Supper in the Church-yard of the great Church and that he chuse Teachers of my word to send into the four Cuarters of the World to teach all men the ways of righteousness and bring them by the spirit of their mouth into my Sheepfold so a publick Communion was celebrated but they made it a full meal A great feast r it was both for the persons and the meat for they were above four thousand men and had three courses But between these courses there was a soul entercourse for the King accused a man of Treason and cut off his head with his own hand and returned merry to supper Then with his bloody hand he took upon him to administer the body and blood of Christ Å¿ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 assisted with the Queen sometime John Matthias his wife who then did the office of the Minister or Deacon and administred the Communion t Quis talia fando temperet a lachrymis the like did the principal officers of the State saying Take this and announce the Lords death After supper the King asked the whole Congregation whether they were all heartily disposed to do Gods Will and to suffer and die for the faith to which the people answered with one voice that they were all in that mind then Tuiscocurer arose and said Thus saith the Lord chuse men among my people to send into the 4 quarters of the world u Where will they stop to do great wonders among the nations publish my wonderous things among the strange people then he read a note of the names of those whom God had chosen for that legation w Our Quakers have men every where of whom himself was one they were 26. Sleydan saith two more 7 were sent to Osnburge 6 to Cecsweld 5 to Warendorp 8 to Suzat To them the King gave certain pieces of Gold with this inscription on the one side Vnless one be born by water and by the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven On the other side The Word was made flesh one God one Faith one Baptism They were to present that coin to every Town where their doctrine was not received and leave x The Apostles dust more dreadful then their 〈◊〉 it there for a Testimony against them These new Apostles went into the Cities where they were sent crying in the streets that the people should repent and join with them else they should shortly perish With that noise having raised a tumult they were apprehended brought to the Magistrates before whom they spread a cloak upon the ground and threw their coin upon it saying that they were sent by the Father to offer them peace which if they refused they would leave that coin amongst them as a pledge of Gods wrath against their ungratefulness and hardness of heart That the time was come foretold by the prophets that the whole world should follow righteousness which God would work by their King and when he had made righteousness to raign over all the world that then he should give up the Kingdom unto his Father Being questioned by the Magistrates first with fair words and after by tortures about their faith their conversation and the state of the City of Munster they answered that none in the world but they y The trick of all Seducâ—rs had the true Doctrine which they were ready to seal with their blood z Causa non poena facit Martyrem that since the Apostles time the word of God had not been purely preached and no justice was in the earth That there was four great Prophets two good David of Delft and John of Leyden and two bad the Pope and Luther but Luther the worst of the two a True Religion more hated then fals by Seducers Being asked by what Scripture they could justifie their unjust dispossessing of so many good men from their houses and goods and making bold with their wives They answered that the time was come foretold by Christ that the meek b Meek with a witness shall inherit in the earth That in the same manner God had given the goods of the Egyptians to the Israelites and among the goods c Mad men reckon madly they reckoned the wives That they might lawfully take many wives upon condition they should lye with them all till they were with childe and when one was with child they might take a new one in her stead That they held women at 12 yearr of age to be fit for husbands That they put away barren women or past child-bearing and committed them to curators as being good for nothing d Poor encouragement for women â—o follow their precious ways As for the provision of the Town they said that S. James Church was all full of Malt. That they had barly for two years and many thousand quarters of meal and great store of Bacon A false relation for soon after they fell to eating of dogâ— and leather in Munster They constantly affirmed that their King expected a great army out of Holland and Frize which as soon as it was come he would begin his expedition to subdue the world and kill all Kings for their perverse administration of justice and that they knew by revelation that their King of Sion would shortly be King of the whole earth They persisted in denying all Magistrates but their own King e They can down with their own for which they were put to death as enemies of all laws and order and brands of sedition and there was an end of that Apostleship that should have preached a Gospel of rebellion over all the world This legation was in October 1534. at which time Munster began to be short of victuals this occasioned a plot of some of the Town to take the King and send him bound to the Bishop The plot was discovered to the King who thought it not safe to make the Authors known only he committed the Town and himself to twelve trusty Captains to whom he divided a government in the air of several Provinces sparing no Prince but the
the Spirit Danson The Spirit is antecedent in respect of the revelation but subsequent the Letter in respect of assistance which he gives to obedience Fisher If there was a rule before the Scripture then that is not a rule but there was therefore Danson It was the same matter since the Gospel preached to Adam no increase of truths quoad essentiam sed tantum quoad explicationem the manner of conveyance different but the matter of Doctrine conveyed still the same Fisher Rom. 10.8 The word is mighty even in thy heart but yours is without Danson It is in thy mouth too For you read not all Fisher This is meant of the light in every mans conscience it is a word which every man hath heard Vers 18. But I say have they not heard Yes verily their sound went into all the world Danson Then the light within is the spirit you pleaded for to be the rule in opposition to Scripture N. B. But vers 18. speaks of the Gospel relating to the Preacher v. 14 15. And though the words are taken out of Psalm 19. yet they intend not that naturall knowledge of God which David speaks of but the Apostle intimates the knowledge of Christ by the Gospel should be of as large extent in the publication as the knowledge of God by the hearers ministry And the word said to be in the heart is meant of the matters conteined in the Scripture that is the word of faith which we preach Fisher Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwel in you richly yours is without Danson It was without as it was the Letter of the Scripture and his exhortation was to get acquaintance therewith and he prescribes means in teaching one another singing of Psalmes which were part of the words of Christ as the matter and author Fisher It is a fond custome to make the people sing Davids conditions who have not his spirit Danson Your objection holds as strongly against the use of them in the times of the Old Testament and yet then they were part of publique Temple-worship nor is it more a lye to sing then read them By this Dispute you have a further discovery of their false Doctrines and that in matters of great concernment how 1. They labour to make the Scriptures imperfect 2. Themselves perfect 3. And the naturall light in man sufficient to salvation 4. How while they would set up Christ in word they would set up a righteousness of their owne to Justification In a word how in many things they plead the Popish cause while they cry down the Ministers of Christ You may also see their weakness and wickednesse in wresting of Scripture how that strength of argument will not satisfie and secure their obstinacy in darknesse under a pretence of light within them God heal them of their blindesse and obstinacy or stop up their way that they may not seduce Soules to destruction and guide them that feare his name in wayes of Truth and holinesse through the Lord our Righteousness Amen CHAP. X. Shewing 1. Quakers instrumental to the introducing of Popery 2. In some of their Tenents dangerous to States The first may appear both by Principles and Practices 1. In their Tenents 1. THat the Ministers of the Reformed Churches are no true Ministers 2. That a man is justified by the merit of his good workes 3. That the Scriptures should not he read by ignorant and unlearned 4. That a man may perfectly keep the Law 5. Denying the imputed righteousness of Christ for justification 6. That Scripture is not the supream rule 7. Pretending to revelations and miracles 8 That H. D. doth not know whether Purgatory be revealed in Scripture or not 9. The infallibility of their Ministry 2. Their practice 1. GEorge Cowlishaw Pryn. The Quakers deny the thing The innocent delivered out of the snare p. 40. and the cry of blood p. 8â— on this reason to affirme no such persons spake among them and they know the names of such as have not railed Ironmonger of Bristol affirms on oath January 22. 1654. that in September before he had some discourse there with one Coppinger an Irish man who told him that he had lived in Rome and Italty 8. or 9. years and had taken the order of a Franciscan and that he had been at London lately for some moneths and whilst there had been at all the Churches and meetings publique and private that he could hear of a How diligent and that none came so neer him as the Quarkers b To their praise And being at a meeting of the Quakers he there met with c A design two of his acquaintance at Rome of the same Franciscan order that were now becom chief d A fair door opened speakers among the Quakers and that he himself had spoken among the Quakers in London about thirty times and was well approved of among them e Marke Coppinger asked him if there had been no Quakers at Bristoll he answered no. He replyed that if he would give him 5 pound he would make it five hundred if some did not come within a moneth and about 18. dayes after there came two probably his two Franciscan Fryars which did much hurt and gained many Disciples As also by what follows c. 11. c. 4. Since which they have there taken root and spread of which you have a full discovery in the story of James Naylor before spoken of who in his answer to Baxter p. 15. takes notice of this story and thus replyes If reason may judge most likely came over to second your envy against us why did you not keep him Seeing the Law required it then might it have been proved if he had been a Speaker amongst us And in the margin read the judgements of God begun on him who took that oath and take warning Answ 1. to the 1. It will not easily be credited unlesse by themselves their tenents and practices have rendred them so bad we need not be put to such unworthy shifts 2. Are all Lawes executed we should then be in a far better condition and they in a worse yea Naylor himselfe through connivance fared better then the Sentence did allow 3. How blind is that in the Margin the thing he hints is so remarkable and making to his purpose that hee should have told what or where 2. Samuel Fisher 1. Quakers folly p. 56. denyed not that he had been at Rome but that he received a pension from the Pope he utterly denyed which is probably as true for it is had from very good hands that in his late travell to Constantinople and thence to Rome he had as good bills of Exchange as most Gentlemen that travell and yet it is well known that he hath no visible estate and the Quakers that came to the dispute did report that he did bear his witness against the Pope and Cardinals at Rome and yet they suffered him not to be medled
adjunct was John of Leyden and the next Bern. Knipperdolling By a revelation of John Matthias an order was made upon pain of death that all the gold and silver and moveable goods of the Town should be brought to the common Stock for which they appointed a publick house The order was obeyed more for fear then conscience for two maids (l) The Devil knows how to make good use of bad women Prophetesses took upon them to find out the fraud and the several houses were searched by a Deacon To thâ—t common Stock were brought all the goods of those that were driven out of the City With that common Stock they kept four great Ordinaries in the four quarters of the Town where all fed in common none being allowed to diet at home unless he were sick Plenty of provision they had and they husbanded it very ill feasting every day till the Bishop that besieged them began to cut off their victuals and then they stinted themselves but with too large a stint which was to have change of meat every third day one day fresh meat the other day hung meat and bacon and the third day milk butter and cheese I read of no great feats of arms in this siege Once only the Bishop received a notable repulse by John Matthias who wâ—s a General â—s well as a Prophet With easie labour he had so fortified the Town which is most strong by Nature that he had made it impregnable so that the Bishop despâ—iring to take it by force went about to take it by famine Indeed the negligence of the Besiegers and the security of the Besieged are the only things remarkable in this siege The Prophets then neglecting the Bishop converted their care to the spiritual government and commanded that none should keep any book but Scripture So all the books that could be found but Bibles (m) The Bible much made oâ— most abused were brought to a publique place and a bonfire made of them From executing of books they fell to executing of persons (n) Seducers grow worse worse Hubert Truteling a Black-smith seeing Joh. Matthias pass by said Here goeth a shitten o We have seen shitten Quakers one coming into the publike Assembly on the L. day naked and shitten up to the elbows Prophet For this offence he was brought to the Congregation and condemned to death John Matthias would himself be the executioner and wounded him with an Halbert the wound being not mortal he brings him to another place and shoots him thorow with a pistoll then taking compassion on him he pardons him saying that God was appeased towards him and that he had a revelation that the man should not die of this yet the poor man died a few days after To make amends for his false prophesie He runs in a mad mood over all the City bearing a Pike crying that God the Father had commanded him to drive the enemy back from the City and so rushed alone into the enemies camp without fear and wit (p) Every way mad and was there killed John Matthias being dead John of Leyden comforteth the people saying that he knew long before by revelation that John Matthias was to die that death that himself should marry his wife (q) Pretend the Spirit intend the Flesh as he did shortly after though he had one before but this was one of singular beauty able to make a lusty young Prophet to set up the doctrine of Polygamy But he fell to other work before he stirred that point Knipperdolling came out w th a revelation that they that were in high places should be brought down to the lowest they that were in the lowest raised to the highest (r) They will turn all upside down But John of Leyden met him in his own kind with another revelation that since it was Gods pleasure that those that were in the highest places should be brought down to the lowest he was sent from God to put him down from the place of Consul make him the Hang-man and to that purpose he gave him from God the sword of justice But there was need of more revelations for that great work of alteration of the government John of Leyden was led by his prophetical spirit upon the City walls where he put off his clothes and ran (Å¿) The old trade naked through the City crying The King of Sion is come The King of Sion is come Then returning home he falls into a deep prophetical sleep and (t) Filthy dreamers Jude 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dreams three days and three nights together Being awaked he comes forth and speaketh never a word but calleteth by signs for a Table-book like Zechariah There he sets down twelve men all Coblers Tinkers Smiths and mean Tradesmen but one that was a Gentleman of Munster to these he assigneth the government of the Common-wealth putting down the order set up by John Matthias and affirming that this was the Fathers (u) You are of your father the Devil good will In that paper also he writeth some conclusions which he chargeth the preachers to teach the people Or else he would have them ratified by the Congregation without the Preachers The sum of all was that a man is not tied to one wife but that he may (x) This is spiritually the clean contrary way marry as many as he pleaseth And when most of his Doctors would not approve of that monstrous paradox he citeth them before his twelve Magistrates and there he recovered his tongue keeping a great clamor throwing down his cloths upon the ground and the new Testament upon them and swearing by that holy book that the doctrine which he had announced was revealed unto him from Heaven and threatning them all that if they consented not to this doctrine God would withdraw his mercy from them To testifie his evidence of spirit â—nd power he commanded the first opposer of that new Gospel to be beheaded which was done presently For three days together there was preaching concerning matrimony for the confirmation of that opinion But the best confirmation was his practice for presently he married three wives one of which was the relict of that grand Prophet Joh. Matthias by whom she was with child and married again and again till he had fifteen wives Many followed his example and it began to be a matter of great praise to multiply wives This seemeth to have been his first motive to broach that doctrine A Souldier of the Bishops that had changed party and was harboured where John of Leyden lay observed in the night that this holy Prophet left his bed and went to the maids bed (y) Defiling the flesh Jude 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John of Leyden seeing himself discovered in the morning called the Souldier aside and gave him gold desiring him to keep his counsel But after mistrusting the Souldiers tongue he thought it safer to countenance the fact
were killed burned and drowned till their reliques were so contemtible that they were let alone for compassion Chap. I. Of our English-Quakers name and practise YOu have heard a sad story from abroad a L. 1. of tâ—e Anab ptists acted in the theatre of Germany which surely hath not been taken notice of without detestation and amazement Now b â— 2 of the Quakers The end of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we draw neerer home and come to give in a brief account of somewhat done in our land and in our times All to one and the same end viz. 1. To caution thee that thou beest not deceived 2. To excite thee to be thankfull if thou still standest in the truth stedfast and immovable rooted c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th ir name 〈…〉 They own 〈◊〉 but are so calâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Giâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Tâ—ldâ—rry c. 3. therein 3. To provoke thee to pray for the purity establishment and peace of Gods Church the eye-sores of the Divell and vexation of his instruments but the desire endeavour and joy of the naturall sons of Zion Of late years under the Sun-shine of too generall a toleration there hath sprung up a sort of people generally called Quakers from the quaking and trembling of their bodies How they justifie Quaking Answ to Westmerland position p. 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ in a very strange and vncouth manner when either really or pretendedly acted by another spirit d then their own For the justification of it they abusively alledge e those Scriptures that mention any thing of quaking or tremâ—ling in the Saints at any time or upon any occasion Not conâ—â—dering 1. Thaâ— some speeches are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hyperbolically spoken 2. And others intimate to us the extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost But they think it sufficient with empty sounds to deceive the simple f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they themselves in the interim enervating ad placitum when they please the sacred authority of divine writ as shall afterward be made manifest g Ex ore adversarii 1. Their assemblies 1. Their Assemblies they hold without any difference of time or place but as opportunity offers in them formerly a great part both of their Men and Women did extraordinarily quake even to the dread and affrightment of the ‖ See c. 1. example 1. elsewhere Westmorl petition c. 11. 2. Language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beholders but now more rare and seldome 2. Their language to themselves peculiar so that by it they may be known in a small matter they pretend much conscience and put much in these little words thou and thee * There is a Book in defence of it called The pure language of the Spirit of truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but if a little provoked then they shew their tongues to be set on fire of Hell railing cursing and blaspheming yea damning them with whom wrathfully displeased k As will appeare c. 5. example 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which evidence they strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel their mouths so narrow that you cannot passe and yet when mov'd their mouths are full l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of cursing and evil speaking this is legible in printed characters their phamphelts will sufficiently shew it 3. Behaviour 3. Their behaviour is hail fellow well met and though they have a shew of humility yet are they big with swollen pride for as if neither God nor Nature nor State had made any difference of persons they will uncover to none nor give any titles of Honour witnesse their proud sullen and clownish behaviour not only toward persons of a lower ranck but before Magistracy it self Their reason Answered Upon the pretence of calling no man Father that they may not be guil y of worshiping the creature many of them being willingly ignorant m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the difference between cultum divinum civilem divine and civil honour 2. Others the more ignorant of them being misled by misunderstanding the language and scope of Scripture N. B. Yet this is remarkable when they should not they will strangely allegorize I wish Origens mischance do not befall them 4. Their food and rayment 4. Their food and rayment too abstemious in the first and almost sordid in the last sometimes fasting many dayes * â— Naylor Parnel at other times living a long while on a little bread and water going in any mean habit without as we use to say welt or guard no Lase Cuffes Hatbands c. taking an occasion hereby the more to inveigh against gluttony drunkennesse pride The reason covetousnesse c. That by this means they might gain a great opinion among simple well minded people who consider not that the Divell doth transforme himself into an Angell of Light n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and suits his temptation as may best suit with them he hath to do with that apt we are to seek a righteousnesse of our own 5. Prancks See Gilpin c. 2. Tolderrys story c. 3. Church disturbeâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. Their prancks may well be termed mad prancks many times so far from quod decet Christianis Christianity and reason that they have not in them aliquid humanitatis what becomes reasonable creatures And theref re because they cannot bare them out by such principles they betake themselves to 1. occult revelations 2. the operations of the spirit 3. the voice of God within them so fathering on the most High what they dare not on nature be low and what natura naturata nature abhors they make to be pleasing naturae naturanti to the God of nature so that they may fitly be termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unreasonable ones 1 Great disturbers of Church assemblies both their men and women interrupting Ministers in the midst of their preaching contradicting and blaspheming o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The women who shâ—uld be cloathed with modesty and are prohibited by Apostolicall in iunction p 1 Cor. 14.35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 â—i â— 2.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to speak in the Church denuding themselves of all shamefacedness with brazen faces vent their brain sick phancies under pretext of impulsion of the Holy Spirit 1. This they doe in the greatest assemblies 2. In ways disorderly as if God himself were the author of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 confusion Yet many times so far can they imprison their pretended impulses as to abstain when they may otherwise incur the penalty of the Law N. B. by speaking to the disturbance of holy performances consulting their own safety rather then venting what the pretend to be impulsed unto impellunt impulsum they force the impulse 2. Go naked 2. Go naked frequently in the streets q instances divers afterwards Chap. 5. Proof Answer exposing their nakedness to publique view and boulster
in interpretation to set them above them as he that loves any thing equal to God loves it indeed more then God the setting up of any writings in equipage with Gods is a debasing of his word Again some of them assert that they have as full b There fulnesse is of the evil one p. 3. Q. 10. at the end of a Gagg a measure of the Spirit as the penners of the Scriptures had * Truths Defence p. 43. the fulnesse of the Spirit is well known by the emptinesse of their fruits had they said that they have as full measure of the evil spirit as Marcian primogenitus diaboli the first born of the Divel as Polycarpe calls him they had come neer the Truth This corner-stone being laid by these Master-builders of Sathans Babel they go on to deny 1. The personal body of Christ George Fox being asked whether Christ have a body in heaven and be a particular man or person Truths defence p. 78. 79. incompassed with a body to live for ever yea or no affirms That Christ hath but one body and that is the Church That 1 Christs mystical body corpus mysticum is the Church and that 2 This is but one is according to truth answerable to that we beleive Sanctam Catholicam Ecclesiam the Holy Catholick Church but 3 That Christ hath but one body is contradictory to the whole History of the four Evangelists which so often speakes of that body which he took of the Virgin Mary of whom Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the flesh came as Paul phrases it and how he ascended and shall come again Luke acquaints us Acts 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9 10 11. Shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him goe into heaven But this is not the first time that this Heresie hath been broached nor confuted many a hundred yeers ago were these things upon the stage of the World dic mihi aliquid novi aut tace trouble us not with old rotten stinking errours Secondly In their book called The persecution of the Quakers First the corporeal Body of Christ And secondly his coming in the Clouds to to judgment are denyed 1 pag. 8. Priest Herrick did affirm before the Magistrate and many others that the body of Christ is not spiritual and when he was by William Adamson challenged for his blasphemy he said he would prove it by Scripture and produced those words Christ said I am not a spirit and then he was by him charged with a lie for there was no such words in that Scripture 2. p. 9. Let their own words try them who look for a Christ yet to come as some of them said what will yee Quakers do who saith Christ is within you when Christ comes in the clouds here now all people do but honestly examine and see whether these spirits confess Christ who looks for him yet to come and whether you dare believe the Apostle every spirit who doth not confess Christ Jesus come in the flesh is not of God or these deceivers who look for him yet to come these things are so palpably gross and weak yea even irrational that their needs no words to the misproving of them 2. The Visible Church Whereas a Book entituled fiery darts saith R.B.Q. 20. p. 26. that since the Apostles dayes there hath been a great Apostacie and that a true Church of Christ could not be found are you of the same mind Answ yea Herein agreeing with those formerly called Seekers 1. That there was and is a great Apostacie as the Scripture foretold so experience hath evidenced and that Apostacie in all ages more or less hath been witnessed against V. Catalogum testiū veritatis but 2. such an Apostacie as hath wholy destroyed the Church and laid it so under ground as that it cannot be found what is this c. what is this but to make much of Scripture at present of no use which directs Sts. concerning Church Communion among others Heb. 13.17 obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. To invalidate those promises of Christ Matth. 16.18 Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it and I will give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdome of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Matth. 28.20 Loe I am with you already to the end of the World 3. To give you this whole World visibly into the hands of the Prince of the World as if Christ had not overcome but being overcome by Sathan 3. Thirdly against the Scriptures 1. That it is dangerous for the ignorant and unlearned to read the Scriptures Truths defence pag. 101. 1. How far is this from the assertion of the Papists 2. How doth it justifie them in their prohibiting of Lay-men to read the word 3. and makes fair way to usher in Imagines laicorum libros Images as Lay-mens Books Secondly If any raises from the Scriptures points trials motives uses he adds to the Scriptures and to him are added the curses and plagues In eodem loco Rev. 22.18 Whether this but 1. to destroy all preaching 2. to condemn their own selves 3. to discover their ignorance between the explaining of Truth and coyning of falsehoods to passe as new truths their additions are corruptives the Ministers for illustration information incitation to edification 4. to condemn Christ and his Apostles which applied and urged in many places of the Scriptures out of the old Testament cited 3. Fiery darts p. 19. 30. 32. Quakers folly p. 25. 2. Ed. That the Scripture is not the word of God nor a standing rule In this way are grosely ignorant or wilfully malicious or both they will acknowledge no word of God but Christ as if no difference between verbum internum externum an inward and outward word verbum oris Scriptum the word spoken and written the thoughts of my mind are soliloquia a talking with my self what I speak is the word of my mouth and what I write is my word under my hand Christ is the eternal internal word of God the Wisdome of the father the Scriptures much of it was spoken by God by the mouth of his holy Prophets and all written as holy men of God were inspired by the Holy Ghost they would seem to exalt Christ it is to debase the Scriptures and deifie the light within them but if they will not hear Moses and the Prophets which testified of Christ neither would they Christ the word of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 1. 1. God who in sundry times and in diverse manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets was not that then the word of God the prophets spake 2. And why not a standing rule The papists indeed say it is a nose of wax a leaden rule that the Pope may stand
and so for the upholding of your unscriptural revelations the Scripture must not stand but when we shall all stand before the judgement Seat of Christ we shall be judged according to this rule and thereby stand or fall 4. That it is not a perfect rule of faith and Conversation to walk by 1. Though the Scripture say it is able to make the man of God perfect 2 Tim. 3.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. Naylor 5. Answer to Jews p. 22. 2. The papists and they concur again the papists to establish papae decretalia the Popes decrees the Quaker to make way for the reception of the light within them be it the Prince of darknesse and that his delusive revelations may be swallowed and followed 5. That it is the Divel in man that contends for the Scriptures to be the word of God Here is Equivocation Ignorance Blasphemy either one or all for if he takes the word of God for Christ none ever affirmed it if for that God spake by the mouth or pen of his Servants Naylors Answer to Baxter p. 48. then it is a grosse calumniating of the holy Spirit 7. That the light wich is in all the Indians Americans and other Pagans on earth is sufficient without Scripture 1. It is much that Scripture should not and yet natural light is 2. That the light which is so week and dimne should be so strong and cleer 3. That what discovers nothing of Christ should enough to heaven 4. Against Ordinances Even all at once strikes Gotherson in his Alarum pag. 2. and elsewhere The man Christ Jesus the great Prophet declared in general terms what should be in latter times leaving it to every Son and Daughter to declare their particular experiences when the Spirit doth rise up in them and manifest himselfe unto them for they that believe saith he out of their Bellies shall flow Rivers or plentifull discoveries of the Water of Life therefore is Moses gave way to Christ for when Christ appeared in the flesh Moses administration began to be silent and drew back and see Jesus Christ in the Chair to be the great Prophet that should be the teacher in Types after him and the ministration of those discoveries were to reign in the world their appointed times even so the Lambe Christ Jesus or that single body gives way to the holy Ghost or spreading spirit John 16.7.17.21 If I go not away the comforter cannot come Here is much of truth but mis-timed and abused to the destruction of all Christs visible Kingdome it is true 1. God sent Christ the great Prophet that to him 2. Moses gave way 3. that the present administration will cease 4. but not till he hath delivered up the Kingdome to his Father Ephes 4.13.5 that the sending of the Comforter did but further the Apostles to plant Christs visible Kingdome and now as a sanctifying and comforting spirit is conveyed by Ordinances and makes them profitable Quakers folly p. 57. 2 Ed. Suitable to this tenet is that Speech of Mr. Fisher in conference with Mr. Thomas Foxton Jurate of Sandwich and Thomas Barber Cooper of Dunkirke May 12. That he himselfe was above Ordinances Truths defence p. 98. James Parnel and Naylors answer to Ives p. 14. 29. G. Whiteheads Cains Generation p. 11. Matth. 1.28.19 Acts 2.8.36.10.47 and that there is no more use of them in this life to many persons then there is of a Candle light when the Sun shines and he gave instance in the uselesnesse of Baptisme and the Lords Supper 1. Water-Baptisme denyed to be an Ordinance of Christ 1. It is their way to set up appointments of their owne and throw down Christs they must be heard but Christ not obeyed 2. When and where was Water-baptisme abolished first the institution and secondly practice is full ard cleer 3. But it must be Water-baptisme with them not to shew the Element but your contempt of the Ordinance * Non distinguunt sed nomen contemnunt Richard Hubberthorns Truths defence p. â—9 103. and alwaies they that esteem too high of their own things think too low of Christs 2. Concerning the Lords Supper Mr. Kellet in in Lancashire quaeries Whether did not Christ institute his last Supper with Bread and Wine Rich. Hubberthorn answers That Christ spake not of Bread and Wine but the Bread which Christ calleth his body is to be understood of his Church but the Cup which thou drinkest we deny for thy Cup is the Cup of Devils and thy Table is the Table of Devils which is an Idol and imitation and thy Sacrifice is to Devils and not to God And is this from the Spirit of the Lord Oh! the patience of the Lord to endure such breath of Blasphemy this is so contrary to Faith and Charity that it shall not need more words then the Angels disputing with the Devil the Lord rebuke thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hel broke loose pag. 27 Against all our worship Naylor against Baxter p. 25. 32 33. against our singing Davids Pâ—alms p. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ to Edward Brocks letter p. 9. 3. Preaching the Word Praying Singing are no appointments of Christ but inventions of Men They do well to strike at all nothing of God that is in the Word of God are not all these things there required who so ignorant as need to be instructed where but it seems they are such builders as would not leave a stone upon a stone 4. Against Sabbaths No Sabbath to be kept and indeed they that deny the ordinances of the day no wonder if the day And in this their practice is suitable to their doctrine even in contempt of Gods day and Magistrate daring to open Shops and exposing wares to sale taking no notice of the morality of the fourth Commandement nor the Churches practice in the Apostles dayes it is in vain to note the universal custome of the Churches of Christ ever since but they think to carry the day the better if they can bear down the day of the Lord but oh that they would remember his burning wrath breaking out against Sabbath-breakers in our Land and dayes if they will not let others read Birds Theater Burtons Tragedy and the sad state of the land since the book of Sports Richard Farneworths answer to the Westmerland Ministers Petition p. 5. Goliah p. 7. Truths defence p. 96. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. Against Ordination The Ministers of God never were sent forth from God by a mediate sending but were immediately sent The tendency of this is first to destroy the Ministry since the Apostles and secondly to make way for the reception of themselves as Prophets and Apostles they exclude us that they may raign but what then becomes 1. of Timothy 2. of those Elders ordained in every City 3. of those directions given to Titus and Timothy but it seems their design is to down with all and by bringing in New-light to extinguish
Perfection Naylor against Ives p. 13. Farnworth against Hagger p. 7. That those that have received Christ and God are come to perfection that all such as are in Christ are without sin Alas poor men their perfection is verbal their imperfection real they are perfect Talkers very imperfect Walkers he that is not blind may see your nakednesse that they impudently boast of they are far from only they glory in their shame and count their unrighteousness for righteousnesse if to be proud railing cursing and blaspheming z Phil. 3.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seducing of Souls be to be perfect then are they such far better men have been far more humble not that I have already attained saith Paul In many things we offend all a Jam. 1.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naylors Answer to Pendarres p. 7. and he that saith he hath no sin is a Lyar and the truth is not in him 2. Of Discerning That the Saints by the Spirit that is in them can judge of mens hearts and that such judging is Christs judging of men and that Christ shall judge no where else but in the Saints Miserable men that know not themselves nor their own hearts and yet pretend to the knowledge of others contrary to that who knows the things of a man but the spirit of a man that is in him And it were a happinesse to them if they should not all b 2 Cor. 5.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hel broke loose p. 37 appear before the jugement seat of Christ to render an account of the things they have done in the flesh for God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world by the man Jesus of which he hath given witnesse in raising him from the dead as Peter hath it Other strange Doctrines have been broached by some of them Nicholas Kate of Harwel in Barks 1. That Marriage was made by man e In doctrine false in practice possibly true 2. That Christians were worse then Beasts 3. That any woman was as free to him as his wife 4. That his wife was no wife of his she was a Limbe of the Divel f Holy St. Nicholas 5. That he was holy and all things that he touched were holy 6. That when the fulnesse of time was come he should work miracles g In good time One of Bristol being at Marleborough in the County of Wilts affirmed 1. He knew no such thing as the Resurrection of the body h 1 Cor 15. Act. 1.11 2. That the body of Christ was not in heaven neither should he come thence with a body 3. He defended those that went naked They have need of a covering his to short This is but one part of his perfection h but none beside himself confident 4. That he went to bed with a woman not his Wife without sin k 5. That he was confident of his perfect holinesse One would wonder that a very natural conscience and those things should stand together but being delivered up to strong delusions they beleive a lie and by a new light from Hell even extinguish the very light of nature till God in Hell shall raise it up again that a conceit of perfect holynesse could be embraced with confidence by such an unclean person If the Reader will trouble himself with more he may read these following Tolderryes foot out of the snare 1. That Edens garden is the World the trees all living beings that Paradice is in man that men fell by harkening to the wicked which was the fle hly mind and that not the woman properly but the silliest and weakest part was the woman that tempted him that Adam was the earthly nature in man and indeed there are extreams to which they are delivered up viz. To take some Scriptures in the strictnesse of the Letter against all sense reason and other Texts 2. To Allegorize and make a mystical meaning the main and only sense of words that are hystorical and literal m est modus in rebus Act. 4.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. That the Redeemer of man is not that person the Son of God that dyed at Hierusalem but the light which is in every particular man by which he is given to see sin Kate could not or would not when he went to another womans bed and enabled by it if obedient to be redeemed from sin What is this o Pelagianisme Popery worse then both But 1. to evacuate the whole mystery of redemption 2. setting up a righteousnesse of works 3. yea making corrupt conscience in fallen man a Saviour 4. and fallen man sufficient to save himself 3. That searching the Scriptures is not the way to find out the Knowledge of Christ but the turning the mind within Contrary to that of Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of mee p Jo. 5.39 Q. Fol. 2. v. in fine Questions proposed to and answered By Joseph Frice Quaker Quest WHether the Scriptures be the rule of trying and judging all matters of Faith and obedience to God Answ I prove not Joh. 5.22 The father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son a A worthy proof if a man could see where the strength lay Quest Whether the light within be sufficient to guide to Salvation if you never had heard of the Bible Answ If I had never seen nor heard of the Bible yet beleiving the witnesse which God hath given which is Christ the light hope and glory in us I should have attained to the Knowledge of God b Obscure or false Quest Whether the teachings or writings of any of your way be infallible or of equal authority with the Scriptures Answ I say we do not erre in speaking of writing the Truth and that of God in all consciences shall one day witnesse this to be true and infallible and the Scriptures and our writings hath and will most certainly come to passe Quest Whether the Father the Word and the Spirit be three distinct persons in the self same Godhead Answ Three distinct persons I deny it is like the Bishops in Rome may own thee in them for that is some of their unfruitful works of darknesse Quest Whether Christ hath a divine and humane nature in one person Answ Thy words Humane nature I return them with those words three persons into the pit of confusion from whence they came Quest Whether Christ remains for ever a distinct person from all the Saints Answ but as for being a distinct person from all the Saints he is not Quest Whether the true Church hath failed upon earth since the death of the Apostles until now If not in what age or ages or among what people hath it continued Answ He can send all both great and small rich and poor bond and free to receive a mark in their foreheads or in their right hand Rev. 13. thus the true Church ceased since the death of the
appoint Then George Whitehead caused these positions to be writ saying he would defend them aâ—so f His strength was great or wit small 6 The Scriptures doth not say if any man say he hath no sin he deceives himselfe 7. I deny that this is a truth if any man say he hath no sin he deceives himselfe as concerning the Saints g But the Saints on Earth will say so 8. It is not a sin for me or any such man to preach or any to hear us Aug. 27. T. S. nor hearing of the time and place of meeâ—ing went to the Major to know what was resolved he answered the Aldermen were not willing it should be in the Town-Hall h Some of them according to this relation too willing their common meeting should be in the own so that if there were any dispute it must be in the Quakers common Meeting-house but several Aldermen were not willing there should be any and that he would not advise T. S. to dispute whereupon T. S. resolved not to dispute against the minde of the Corporation i Modest and sober Aug. 29. came this from W. to T. S. Friend T. S. this is to certifie thee that accorâ—ing to our agreemâ—nt when I was with thee I am willing to give thee a meeting and seeing no other place is appointed I intend to be at our Meeting place this day about one or two where I may exspect thy appearance according to thy promise to me first to produce thy arguments c. subscribed G. Whitehead Immediately he received another from Mr. James Alders Sir I was called this morning to Mr. Majors and there I was told that it is the desire of the Quakers to meet you at their house of meeting they begin to think you are afraid to meet them c. k Crow before victory Notwithstanding â— S. continued in his Chamber till one came from Mâ— Alders to tell him the Quakers were met and reported that T.S. did not dare to come thereupon he went When met G. W. told the people the Questions to be disputed were Quaker disarmed dispute 1. Whether it were a damnable sin for him to preach and secondly a damnable sin for any to hear him But T. S. began as the propositions lay in his paper and so went to prove tha Quakers do open a door to damnable Heresie T. S. he that writ Ishmael and his Mother cast out opens a door to damnable Heresies but you writ â—hat Book therefore Whithead answered he did not write it all for there is somewhat scribled l It was all but scrible in it T.S. asked if he were the Author of all printed in it he answered about three yeers ago I and four more writ it between us m Multis manthus gâ—ande levatur onus and said that he would own it T.S. further urged All Papists open a door to damnable Heresies you who writ this Book are a Papist therefore W. I am no Papist T.S. He who refuses to take the Oath of abjuration is a Papist he who writ this refuses to take the Oath of abjuration therefore a Papist Heâ—e George Fox n a notorious Quaker as before made a long Discourse to prove that it was not lawful for a Christian to swear o To put off the odium of refusing the Oath of Abjuration it is no duty to curse r il and blâ—spheme and would have had T. S. proved it was lawful to swear who answered it was beside the Question Here the Majors Wife entreated T. S. to lay aside Whiteheads Book and dispute from Scripture So T. S. did from 2. Cor. 5.20 He who pretends to be an Ambassador of Christ and hath no commission to show but what all the damnable Hereticks in the World do or may shew that man opens a door to damnable doctrines But you pretend to be an Embassador of Christ p VVhat is that to them but a bâ—ind and have no commission to shew but what all the damnable Hereticks in the World do or may shew therefore W. I have my Commission from Christ and did ever any Heretick pretend a Commission from Christ T. S. Yes David George Socinus Arius and all the Hereticks I ever read of W. They could not prove it by the effects as I i. e. shew the people converted by them T. S. They could Arians converted a nation of Infidels to Christianity and his opinions in a short time spread so far that all the World seemed Arian q Totus mundus est Arianas W. But did the Hereticks live good lives T. S. It is confessed that Arius and his did that Pelagius did and I remember that no Sect-master that did not Here Whitehead would prove himself no Heretick from 2. Pet. 2.1 2. Hereticks are those that deny the Lord that bought them I do not deny the Lord that bought me therefore T. S. I deny the Major all Hereticks do not deny the Lord that bought them the Apostle instances but in one sort even the worst who would even deny the Lord it followes not hence none are false Teachers or false Prophets or Hereticks but such as deny the Lord that bought them r A particulari ad universate non valet consequentia W. I have Christ within me therefore I do not deny the Lord that bought me T. S. You do not prove your Major Here being silent T. S. Out of this place urged against him He that writ Ishmael and his Mother cast out even denyes the Lord that bought him but you writ that Book There the Major he further proved He that denyes Persons in the Trinity and calls him Dreamer and Conjurer who asserts them saying that a man who saith there be 3 persons in the Trinity shall be shut up with them in perpetual darknesse for the Lake and the pit that man is an Heretick even denying the Lord that bought him but you George Whitehead deny the 3. persons in the Trinity c. This Minor was proved out of the Book it self p. 10. the 3. persons thou dreamest of which thou wouldest divide out of one like a Conjurer all are denyed and thou shut up with them in perpetual darknesse for the Lake and the Pit Here Fox made a long Discourse against the Trinity T. S. I came not to hear you repeat a deal out of Paul Beast I came to dispute Fox Prove there be 3 persons T. S. 1. Joh. 5.7 There be 3 that bear Record in heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these 3 are one Thus If the Father Son and Holy Ghost be 3 He 's then 3 persons â— VVhile H. D. gibes at 3 He 's and the argument for three persons taken from the places he considers not that T. S. was necessitated to condescend to vulgar capacities who cryed out they would hear no Philosophy or School-terms but they are 3 He 's therefore Fox What mean you by 3. He 's T.
at the Sessions at Appleby Another To the R. H. the Justices of Peace for the County of Westmerland The humble Petition of severall Gentlemen Ministers of the Gospel and others Humbly shews THat in the late Wars we or the most of us did expose lives liberties estates and relations with all other personal advantages in the just defence of Religion and Liberty in concurrence with and maintaining of the just proceedings of our Parliament after the prosperous effects whereof we expected the settlement of the grand ends of our engagement and so much the more as being the promise of the Parliament the vows of their affections the price of our prayers purses hazards losses banishments and the blood of many thousands our fellow-servants in the work of God truly sacrificed in the quarrel of this Nation What hath bin done in the settlement of our civill Rights Peace and wholsom Laws we blesse God for and the Parliament as his instruments Nor can we but acknowledge what hath been done by them in the Cause of God as their Acts against Adulteries Fornication Swearing Drunkenness Sabboth-breaking Ordinances against promoters of Heretical Doctrines Acts against Ranters or Blasphemers may the Lord encrease the number of these things Yet so it is that in this County several persons Proselytes of one George Fox and James Naylor do in the time of our Assemblies ordinarily in a way of contempt and scorn come in among us with their hats on at the time of our prayer or singing used in our Congregations Some of them shew violent actions in time of Sermon or Prayer or singing cry out aloud with horrible clamours slanders abuses reproaches against our Ministers to the stirring up of wofull Tumults evident disturbing of the work and the turning of the peaceable Assemblies of the Church of Christ into the grossest confusion that their deportment is such and with so continuall violence against the most godly of our Ministers in all places of their travels in the streets abusing them with railing language scornfull behaviours walking in the Markets with such great numbers together and scarce passing by any one not of their judgement without abusive words that as it cannot but shew us no small symptomes of bad designs so no small reason to provide for our security That it is their great designe to stir up the spirits of people against the Ministers of England in generall without distinction setting forth and sending abroad daily almost Libels and Slanders against the office as needlesse terming them as or under the names of Antichrists Antichrists Merchants Tythemongers Robbers Deceivers Ministers of the world Priests Murtherers Conjurers Devils and attempting to make Proclamations in the open Markets to the said effect That their main drift is to engage the people against the Ministry by reason of Tythes crying out with open clamour against Tythes as unlawful antichristian to the necessary overthrowing of the Laws to that purpose bringing an odium upon the Government and tending to stir up sedition in the people to with draw their due obedience from the Lawes and Government of England That besides what others perhaps may know of the blaspemies of them we do plainly see and know that their practices do exceedingly savour of Sorcery the quakings swellings roarings foamings and such as we never heard of but such as were possessed of the Devill of persons at their meetings and especially of young children And giving too sad a suspition of it and the more by reason of the known suspition upon George Fox to deal with the Devil before he came to us in these parts That we know the principles of some of their followers are against subjection to Magistrates against distinction amongst men and the practices of the most is such that there is a denying of relations children professedly refusing subjection to their Parents servants to their Masters That we are sensible what confusions divisions tumults and parties are made by these mens disturbances and cannot but with sadnesse of spirit remember that such small beginnings have in other Nations grown to eat out their peace and stagger the foundations of their States As also to lay it before you what advantage it gives for the common Enemie weakens the Parliaments Interest in the peoples hearts to see such persons unrestrained creates discontents and layes a clear foundation for Civill Wars or at least advantage to the Hollanders or French now in arms against us to carry on their wicked intentions with greater facility Therefore as you are Christians and English Magistrates we are free men born of England and desiring something more as instruments under God with others of your present peace do cry and challenge from you 1. Your timely looking to the peace of England than seems too evidently to be endeavoured to be rent asunder 2. The protection of our selves and our Ministers from violence or disturbance in our Worship of God and suppression of offenders 3. Execution of the Statute against Sabboth-breakers and such as under pretence of Religion are in no religious Assemblies that day 4. Charge to all differing Judgements to meet together each Lords day peaceably and not to spread themselves to severall places for disturbance 5. Suppression of persons living without any Calling and your witnessing against all Blasphemers of the name of God especially such as are contained in the Acts of Parliament and if the application of any effectuall remedy lye not within your power that you would please to joyn with us in this designe and transmit this cause to the Right Honourable the Council of State as a cause too neerly concerning the peace of England And we shall ever pray c. An Order that was ordered at the Sessions at Appleby in Westmerland ORdered That whosoever shall hereafter disturb any Minister in the publique Exercise of his Ministry within this County or give any scandalous or opprobrious termes against any of them shall be apprehended by the Constables or Church-wardens of the place where the offence shall be committed and brought before the next Justice of the Peace to finde sureties for his or her good behaviour And upon refusing to finde such sureties to be committed to the Common Gaol till willingly they shall do the same or be from thence delivered by due course of Law And likewise all such persons as meet in great numbers and assemblies apprehended and bound to good behaviour as aforesaid I find James Naylor to have been prisoner at Appleby and then to have written his Discovery of the first wisdome from beneath and the 2d Wisedome from above 2. In Worcestershire A Mittimus To the Keeper of the Gaol for the County of WORCESTER Cujus contrarium verum Badaire FOrasmuch as Thomas Goodaire the 25th of this instant March being the Lords day came into the Parish Church of Kidderminster at such a time as many hundreds of the good people of this Common-wealth were assembled to worship God and there misbehaved